Press Conference by Shizuka Kamei, Minister for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Tuesday, March 2, 2010, from 8:36 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.)

Q.

The Prime Minister will attend a meeting with banks, etc. that will be held around noon for an exchange of views about the facilitation of financing toward the end of the fiscal year. What do you expect of this meeting?

A.

Financial institutions are actively doing their part in accordance with the purpose of this act (Act concerning Temporary Measures to Facilitate Financing for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises). In light of the status of their efforts, the Prime Minister earnestly wishes to ask for their further cooperation himself in easing the financing condition for SMEs, small shops and salaried workers, and his attendance in this meeting reflects that wish.

However, in addition to the financing, we must also try to ensure that SMEs have work to do, which is always an issue of concern for the Prime Minister. In any case, today, he will request the cooperation of financial institutions regarding the financing condition.

(End)